Note: The following is not a verbatim transcript of the Zoning Hearing Board meeting; it is simply one person’s summary of the major points made by those involved in the hearing process.  For that reason, quotation marks are not used unless a direct quote was recorded.  For information about obtaining an official ZHB transcript, contact the New Hanover Township office.

The meeting started with the introduction, by Ms. Julie Von Spreckelsen, an associate of Bob Brant, township solicitor, of a new witness Mr. Nike Kolodinsky.  Kolodinsky lives ¼ mile from the Gill Quarry.

Kolodinsky talked about the noise generated by the quarry.  He said that blasting was a major nuisance, but that the noise generated by the crushers made it impossible for people to sit outside during the summer months.  He said it was only when the crushers stopped their incessant noise, were you able to hear the birds, crickets and the wind.

Kolodinsky next talked about and showed pictures of the dust generated by the quarry.  He tried over and over to explain that the dust appeared lighter on dark surfaces, such as a table, but when whipped off with a wet paper towel appeared dark.  Mr. Harris, attorney for Gibraltar Rock, objected to all of the photographs and continuously tried to make Kolodinsky appear foolish for saying the dust was different colors, going as far as to read from Kolodinsky’s testimony in another hearing where Harris was also representing a quarry owner.

Kolodinsky told the board that the noise and the dust decreased the farther from the quarry he drove.  He also said his life is better now that the quarry near him is closed.

After Kolodinsky, Ms. Von Spreckelsen next introduced her next witness, Dr. Richard Bell, a pulmonary specialist.  After Harris and Mr. Skypala (zoning hearing board’s attorney) hijacked Von Spreckelsen’s introduction of Dr. Bell’s resume, Von Spreckelsen was finally able to list Bell’s education and background. 

Von Spreckelsen asked Bell questions about the small solid matter suspended in the atmosphere that can penetrate deeply into the lung where they can cause respiratory problems, which are called PM 10.  Bell said that they could cause a worsening of existing asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.  Bell said all of these are worsened by exposure to PM 10 airborne particles.  Von Spreckelsen also asked him to explain Pneumoconiosis, which he said is a scarring of the lungs due to long-term occupational inhaling of dusts such as coal, silica or asbestos.  Bell then explained many of the symptoms of these diseases. He also explained that there is an increased risk of lung diseases and heart disease due to exposure to silica dust that is found in crushed rocks.

Harris objected saying that there is no record of anyone saying there was silica in the rock.  However, if you look at the testimony of July 30, 2002, Mr. Walter B. Satterthwaite, a witness for Gibraltar Rock did say that there was silica in the rock. 

Von Spreckelsen asked bell what the effects of large amounts of PM 10 to children with pre-existing asthma would be. 

Harris objected, saying that there was neither evidence of children with asthma nor any way to know that large amounts of PM10 would be deposited near children.

Von Spreckelsen said that Mr. William Felderbach, the township’s air pollution and meteorology expert, introduced evidence in December 2003 about the amount of PM10.  If you remember, Felderbach presented striking evidence that there would be large amounts of PM10 as well as the more dangerous PM2.5 produced by the proposed quarry and that the majority of the dust would be deposited in the direction of New Hanover Elementary School and the Perkiomen Valley Academy.  Von Spreckelsen also noted that local residents had (over the past few months) entered into evidence stories about their children and their pulmonary problems [link].

Harris objected and once again made note of his disagreement and dismissal of Felderbach’s findings. His objection was overruled.

Bell finally answered Von Spreckelsen’s question. He said that irritants will cause the airways to become inflamed and swollen and will effect the lives of the children with asthma.  Von Spreckelsen next asked him about the EPA standards.  He said that the EPA limits PM 10 to 150 micro grams/cubic liter---this is where you start to observe health effects.

He concluded that the amount of PM10 to be generated by the proposed quarry would in his professional opinion as a pulmonary specialist, with a high degree of certainty, cause medical problems in people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and chronic heart disease.

Harris cross-examined Bell.  Bell agreed that any source of PM10 would cause these problems. Harris asked Bell if Felderbach’s projections are wrong, then it wouldn’t be a problem.  Bell said, “no,” the problem would still exist, it would only be less.

Harris next read from an article saying that PM10 was originally thought to be a major contributing factor to these pulmonary diseases, but that newer findings indicate that it’s the smaller PM2.5 that are the major issues.  Bell said that PM10 causes pulmonary issues as well as the more dangerous PM2.5.

The meeting was adjourned.  

The next GR 1 meeting is September 30, 2004 at the New Hanover Township Building, 7:00 PM.

See Also:
Summary of the previous meeting (July 1, 2004)